Episode 100: "The Parting Glass” – The Sheridan Tapes
CONTENT WARNING: Some existential dread and depictions of loss and grief.
04012021: The Year that Follows.
Season 4 Q&A Submission Form (closes 4/20/24): https://forms.gle/rnQMt4oCL5j8sZEs9
Starring Ollie Wayne as Andrew Sheridan Slate, Virginia Spotts as Kate Sheridan, James Cain as Peter Slate, Airen Neeley Chaconas as Anna Sheridan, Amitola Lomas as Maria Sol, Matthew Chaconas as Anthony Perdue, Jesse Steele and Connor Bushoven as Bill Tyler, Chris Martin as Robert Quincy, Sam Taylor as Ren Park, Jesse Haugen as the Open Mic Host, Alyssa Gaiser as The Dread Halla Tavern, J Cuevas as Alejandro Valero Sol, Deniss Carvajal as Sandra Isabella Sol, Yessenia as Gabriella Londoño Rodriguez, Maurice Cooper as Jerry Price, and Van Winkle as Sam Bailey, with original music by Jesse Haugen. “Sera” by the Dread Halla Tavern was composed and performed by Alyssa Gaiser. You can find more of the Dread Halla Tavern wherever you listen to music. This episode was written by Van Winkle and Virginia Spotts and produced by Virginia Spotts, with dialogue editing and sound design by Van Winkle. Sensitivity consultation by Sophie Borjón.
This episode was made possible by our supporters at Patreon.com/homesteadcorner, ko-fi.com/homesteadcorner, and our backers on Seed&Spark.
Script
Transcript
CONTENT WARNING: Some existential dread, depictions of loss and grief
[Outgoing call dial tone]
[Beep as someone picks up]
[The waves of Agate Shore can be heard in Kate’s background]
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
Mommy?!
Kate Sheridan
My baby! Oh, honey, it’s so good to hear your voice.
Peter Slate
Andrew! Buddy! I miss you, bug.
Kate Sheridan
Did you answer your auntie’s phone all by yourself?
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
I did, Momma! I missed you.
Kate Sheridan
I’ve missed you too, buddy. Hey guess what? Auntie Anna is back!
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
[Gasps] You found her??
Kate Sheridan
We did, buddy!
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
I wanna see her!
Peter Slate
Here, we can let you talk to her…
[Rustling as they hand the phone to Anna]
Anna Sheridan
Is this my little Andrew?
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
No I’m TALL! I’m not LITTLE!
[Anna takes a moment]
Anna Sheridan
W-wow, buddy! You know what, you do sound really tall. I’m… I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
[Hang up tone]
[Cassette noises]
[Click]
[Anna sits in a chair]
[Birds outside her open window chirp]
Anna Sheridan
What does it mean to have missed a year and a half of my own life? Nothing can really prepare you for something like that. In an ironic way, you could say that I was cursed with true absence for withdrawing from the people who, turns out, wanted me to draw nearer.
[Click]
[Digital beep]
[Sounds of painter’s tape unrolling in the background]
Maria Sol
Anthony! Hey, I’ve got you on speaker.
Anthony Perdue
Hey Maria! Is Anna there?
Anna Sheridan
Sure am! We’re repainting the house. It could use something fresh in here.
Anthony Perdue
I am so relieved to hear you’re getting settled, Anna! It will be so good to get back to business with you.
Maria Sol
Well you know, Anthony… Anna and I have actually been throwing a little podcast idea around lately, if you’d be interested.
Anthony Perdue
Alright! Uh… well, we did try this a few years ago, if you remember. But, anything new from you would be great! I do have to warn you though, there’s not much money in podcasting right now, so uh…
Anna Sheridan
With the right sponsors? Telling the story of the disappearance and return of the infamous Anna Sheridan? I think it’ll be more profitable than you think.
Anthony Perdue
Huh… Touché.
[Anna hands an envelope to Maria]
Anna Sheridan
Here, Maria. For you.
[Maria chatters as she opens the envelope]
Maria Sol
Anyway Anthony, we’re thinking this would be a great opportunity to share not only an account of what Anna experienced, but an anthology of—
[She stops and turns to Anna]
Maria Sol
Anna… a key? Are you…?
Anna Sheridan
No first or last required, just looking for a beautiful and conscientious roommate… you wouldn’t happen to know anyone like that, would you?
Anthony Perdue
Oh my god it’s happening! It’s finally happening!
[Maria and Anna laugh happily]
[Call ending beep]
[Click]
[Birdsong of Lake Arrowhead – Anna’s home]
Anna Sheridan
I don’t want to put too many expectations on myself, or try too hard to find logical reasons for what happened to me. Old habits run deep, and I believe there will always be a part of me, rehabilitated or not, that longs for lengths of quiet and solitude. Even in adventure.
[Click]
[A digital video call rings, then connects]
Peter Slate
Heyyy Rob!
Kate Sheridan
Bill! How are you guys? You settling in alright?
Bill Tyler
We’re doing our best. Jerry’s tried to make the guest room as livable as he can for us.
Robert Quincy
Well, for long-term use at least.
Bill Tyler
Right, for long-term.
Kate Sheridan
Still haven’t been able to find your old place in Oslow?
Robert Quincy
No… it’s looking more and more like things aren’t going to go back to normal anytime soon. If our apartment’s still there, it was turned into one of Morrison’s cells.
Bill Tyler
If it isn’t one of the ones that collapsed already.
Robert Quincy
But we’re so grateful for Jerry’s hospitality, of course. It’ll give us time to figure out… well… all of it.
Peter Slate
I’m so glad that worked out. I’m still sorry we couldn’t take you in Toronto.
Robert Quincy
It’s okay, bud. I’m sure something will work out someday, we just have to give it time…
[Digital call end chime]
[Click]
[Birdsong of Lake Arrowhead – Anna’s home]
Anna Sheridan
But even so… being in the Source with Sam changed me. And… I feel as though I’ve been given another shot at this. At life. But I’ve reemerged into a different world… with new friends… who all seem to know me.
[Click]
[Digital call chime]
[Peter, Kate, and Rob are laughing]
Bill Tyler
And so Ned and I are rounding this corner, right? It’s pitch dark outside, can’t see a thing, our guns are drawn — we don’t wanna use them, but the call said it was little men walking upright, rummaging through their trash, and I guess—
[Everyone laughs]
I guess we figured, since we just had that alien call, that anything goes?? Anyway, we round the corner, and there’s this goddamn RACCOON!
Kate Sheridan
[Through laughter] No…
[Peter laughs]
Bill Tyler
A raccoon is standing there, one hand on the trash can—he’s trying to hop straight into it, and when we see him, the other hand is resting on his hip. And he just looks at us like we’re strangers walking into his house.
Kate Sheridan
No way, Bill.
Bill Tyler
Yes way! I promise that’s what happened!
Peter Slate
What did you guys do?
[They continue to laugh as Bill talks]
Bill Tyler
Well, we couldn’t stop laughing, for one. [He laughs] We didn’t have much time, but Ned and I got into so many mix-ups like that when we were… partners.
[A painful little pause]
Kate Sheridan
I think it’s beautiful that there was some genuine connection there. For all of you, even at the end. I’m so sorry you didn’t have more time.
Robert Quincy
I couldn’t be more grateful to still have Bill here. He’s my rock, as always. But it’s… surprising… how much this hurts. How much we… already made room for him.
[Digital call end chime]
[Click]
[Birdsong of Lake Arrowhead – Anna’s home]
Anna Sheridan
Take it from someone who hasn’t followed the same timeline as everyone else for the last year and a half: the world is changing constantly.
[Click]
[Digital call chime]
Peter Slate
Wouldn’t it be great to have a space where that sort of life could actually be possible? Kate and I have been talking about this a lot. I mean, think about it: Land that you two could come live on, with us. It’s not so crazy when you think about the way people have lived in little villages and co-housing! For, oh, uh, all of human history? [Little laugh]
You guys could have your own little cottage on there, apart from the Sheridan-Slate house. We could all grow a garden together. And… heal.
[Pause]
Bill Tyler
Peter, are you… is this serious?
Peter Slate
Well I’m certainly being serious. Katey?
Kate Sheridan
Way serious.
Bill Tyler
Well, if you are… um… [he turns to Rob] Can I say we’re open to it?
Robert Quincy
Oh, YES, we’re open to it! Jerry’s already talking about moving out of Oslow… whole place is turning into a ghost town now, and I don’t think any of us like the thought of hanging around for much longer.
Kate Sheridan
I don’t want to overwhelm you two, but it’s just that… the more we talk, the more I wish you were around for the little things… and the big things!
[Digital call end chime]
[Click]
[Birdsong of Agate Shore – Anna’s home]
Anna Sheridan
You know… people sometimes credit psychedelic journeys with deep personal transformation. Being in the Source was as close as I think I’ll ever get to that kind of thing again. Years of therapy could never compare. I have experienced my own form of rebirth. And this time… I’ve promised myself to make it count.
[Click]
[Digital call chime]
Kate Sheridan
Drumroll, please.
[Messy noises of a drumroll]
Kate Sheridan
Take a look at this!
Robert Quincy
Oh my god! Is that…
Peter Slate
Closing paperwork on a couple acres of farmland and a pair of cottages. You wanna guess where? You are gonna LOVE this!
Bill Tyler
Where?
Peter Slate
Portland, Maine.
Bill Tyler
Whoa! That was like, my top choice!
Kate Sheridan
I know, isn’t this amazing?!
[Digital call end chime]
[A digital camera comes to life]
[Beep]
[An echoing hangar]
[Ren speaks into a microphone]
Ren Park
Welcome, everyone, to the inaugural stakeholders meeting for the newly reformed… ISFA. I-S-F-A: the International Spacefarers Association.
[Clapping]
Before I get into some words I’d like to share with all of you, I want to open with an acknowledgement. The institution we hail from has a long, complex, and troubled history. Prestige… and problems. I had many brave colleagues and friends who were a part of it alongside me. And many who gave their lives in service of not only their work, but humanity as a whole. I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge one person in particular… Doctor Daniella Miriam Caldwell. You have likely heard many things about the triumphs and failings of Doctor Caldwell’s career, but I’d urge you to remember that, in the end, they chose not to flee from their sinking ship. They stayed until the very end, attempted to spare what lives they could, and ultimately gave their life to deal what they hoped was a fatal blow to an enemy who could have ended history as we know it. The details of what exactly happened and why are subject to speculation, but I knew the Doctor. I knew what she stood for. And I know firsthand that she is the reason that all of us are here today.
She’s certainly the reason I’m here. Looking forward to the new ISFA, I hope that we can take the best parts of Doctor Caldwell’s spirit with us into whatever future we make. After all, it was their spirit, and my own passion for the unknown, that made me embark on this adventure in the first place.
[Digital beep]
[Silence]
[Digital beep]
[Rumble of a car coming to a stop]
Kate Sheridan
Oh my God. We’re here.
Peter Slate
Are you recording?
Kate Sheridan
Of course!
[The car stops]
[They open their doors and exit the car]
Kate Sheridan
We’re home, Pete. This is our home.
[He embraces her]
Peter Slate
We did it, Katey.
[Ren’s voice in the hangar, echoing over the scene]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
Sometimes a spark will lead you far away from home… from the place and person you knew at the start. But returning to that original idea? You can do it anytime. At any point along that journey, you can remember why you started, and what really matters in the end.
Peter Slate
When are Bill and Rob getting here?
Kate Sheridan
They said their flight gets in later tonight.
Peter Slate
Oh, well, perfect. That means we’ve got time to grab some wine.
[Digital beep]
Kate Sheridan
Hello, Sam! This seemed easier than calling. Because I wanted you to see…
[She moves around, narrating the view of their house]
…that this living room has a perfect view of our screened-in front porch, which I thought you would love. And there’s a guest room right off the hall from it. You should really come stay sometime.
[Digital beep]
[Ren’s voice echoing in the hangar]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
And more often than not, the people you’ve met along the way that will resonate with that spark. The right ones, at least.
[The sound of chirping chicks has already begun in the background]
Kate Sheridan
Ohhhh my God, you guys!
Bill Tyler
Kate, I promised Peter I wouldn’t let you take more than six.
Kate Sheridan
But they’re all so cute!!
Robert Quincy
Well I made no such promises… Quick, I’ll distract Bill.
[Rob tickles Bill, Bill laughs]
Bill Tyler
H-hey! Knock it off, Rob!
[Ren’s echoing voice in the hangar]
Ren Park
And sometimes, it’s the friends themselves that bring that spark back to you. Who bring you back to yourself — To the naive, beautiful part of you that waited to be welcomed home.
[Digital beep]
[Inside a small pub]
Peter Slate (Dracula accent)
Welllcome to Chattanooga!
[Kate, and the rest of the small crowd, laugh and clap]
Open Mic Host
Give it up for “Slate to the Party”! I’ll tell you what, we’ve never had a whole improv group come to this open mic, but now I’m thinking we might need our own improv night, huh?
[Positive affirmations from the crowd]
[Peter slides in next to Kate in the crowd]
Peter Slate
Did we kill it, Katey?
Kate Sheridan
Oh you killed it, darling.
Open Mic Host
Our next act is a siren of fantasy and mystery. Soul and grit. We give you the artist known as… The Dread Halla Tavern.
[Polite claps from the crowd]
[She starts singing and playing guitar]
Dread Halla Tavern (singing “Sera”)
I’ll meet you on the rooftop
To swap stories about how our parents failed us
And how these people need to all lighten the fuck up
Girl I love it when you call me honey tongue
[Kate sighs]
Peter Slate
You gonna breathe, Katey?
Kate Sheridan
[Releasing a tense breath] What?
Peter Slate
[Pleased, knowing] Nothing.
Dread Halla Tavern (singing “Sera”)
And you don’t gotta tell me you’re not easy to please
When you start acting crazy I get weak in the knees
And I know you’re only in this to uncover the truth
But the truth is I’m fallin’ fuckin’ head-over-heels for you
Oh Sera, in this life
I-I’ve stopped asking why
Oh-oh, baby we ride or die
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh.
[The song ends]
[Ren’s voice, echoing in the hangar]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
This return isn’t always easy. Sometimes, the return only makes it searingly obvious where you went wrong… what you lost. But that only makes it that much more important when you return to the start.
[Digital beep]
[Creak of a bed]
Maria Sol
Anna… Anna, wake up…
Anna Sheridan
W-what?…
Maria Sol
I know you’re jetlagged, but my mother has gone mad and made buñuelos at the crack of dawn. I think she missed home.
Anna Sheridan
Oh? [Yawning] Breakfast in bed, hm?
[The bed creaks as Anna sits up]
Maria Sol
Try it.
Anna Sheridan
[Chewing] Oh my God…
Maria Sol
Welcome to Colombia, mi vida.
[Ren’s voice echoing in the hangar]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
I’ve found, as I’m sure you all can understand, that this return is more than worth the trials and tribulations it took to get there.
[Digital beep]
[Maria’s family is taking a walk on a forested dirt road in Colombia]
Maria Sol
And here we see the protector of the family, also known as an “Alejandro.” His defenses are razor-sharp…
Alejandro Sol
Mija, [he laughs] what is this?
Maria Sol
But will his time-weathered defenses be able to stand against the very offspring he trained?
Sandra Isabella Sol
Ay, Maria, it’s too early for this…
[Maria lunges at her dad with a laugh, and he blocks her and laughs as well]
Maria Sol
The offspring has underestimated the situation!!
[Alejandro laughs]
Gabriela Londoño Rodriguez
Ay, ustedes dos son tan dulces…
Maria Sol
Mamá, be careful, I think I saw some big beady eyes in the trees outside…
Gabriela Londoño Rodriguez
Eh-eh-eh! Ni lo pienses…
Maria Sol
Mother, what legends do these parts have about extraterrestrials?
Gabriela Londoño Rodriguez
¡Crees que puedes bromear con eso! Esos son demonios, María, y con eso no se juega—
Maria Sol
Mira! Mira!
[Gabriela stops and gasps at where Maria is pointing]
[Maria giggles]
[Gabriela makes a displeased noise]
Gabriela Londoño Rodriguez
Maria… [Her admonishment to Maria fades in the background]
Anna Sheridan
Has she always been like this?
Sandra Isabella Sol
Oh, sí.
[Ren’s echoing voice in the hangar]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
And when you do find yourself returning to the beginning… there’s no greater feeling than discovering new inspiration waiting for you there, both from experience and wisdom.
[Digital beep]
[Birdsong in the background]
Robert Quincy
Hello, internet! Rob here, just wanted to show you some of these antique pieces I’ve picked up… [Creaking of wood as he holds something up] you can find them at the community market this Saturday! They’ve been given a little bit of elbow grease, and—
[Bill lunges into frame]
Bill Tyler
And while you’re there, check out the Ned Shed! We’re a little light on produce at the moment other than some very… very tiny spinach leaves, but in the meantime we’re taking custom orders for reclaimed wood furniture!
[Rob laughs]
Robert Quincy
We’ll see you there!
[Digital beep]
[Ren’s voice echoing in the hangar]
Ren Park (over the current scenes)
And that hard-earned experience and wisdom… often takes you to unexpected places.
[Digital beep of a phone being answered]
[Lake Arrowhead nature sounds faintly in the background]
Maria Sol
[Reading) “She felt a rumble inside herself then — something new. Something ephemeral that she already sensed would stay with her forever. The quiet of the forest around her belied the fire that had grown in the small of her back and the depths of her belly. Though through her eyes she could see that she was sitting absolutely still at the edge of a wooden rocking chair, the old boards beneath her barely issuing a creak, inside of her the meeting of the trees and the steady rain all around was like an answer to the pain that had eaten away at her for months. The answer was this: Nothing will last forever. Everything will be heard.”
Anthony Perdue
That’s not…
Maria Sol
Yep. It’s Anna’s.
[Dial tone ending]
[Ren’s voice echoing in the hangar]
Ren Park
And in those unexpected places, you suddenly find the strength to let that spark go out into the world, to make it better this time. In honor of those who came before, and in tribute to those who will come after us.
[Digital beep]
[A digital camera starts up]
[A group of our friends sing Happy Birthday]
The Group
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ANDREW [Some scattered, affectionate laughs], HAAAPY BIIIRTHDAAAY, TOOOO YOUUUU!
Peter Slate
Make a wish, son!
[Andrew blows out his candles]
Kate Sheridan
Did you make a wish?
Andrew Sheridan-Slate
I did!
Kate Sheridan
Amazing. Here, I’ll get it cut for everyone…
[Kate starts setting out plates]
Peter Slate
Hey Maria… have you heard from Sam lately?
[Digital beep]
[Click]
[Lake Arrowhead birdsong in the background – Anna’s house]
Anna Sheridan
Of course, it’s a lot of pressure to tell myself that “I’ve gotta make this count.” What does that even mean, exactly? Who’s doing the counting? If you were to ask me in my early 20s, making the time count meant taking risks. And take them, I did. If you were to ask my parents, it meant throwing themselves into caring for us. My dad worked, and my mom took charge of the home.
But I think what I mean by it now can’t be measured by a precise definition. When I say that I want the time to count, I don’t mean that I have a bucket list. What I mean is that I’ve thrown out the bucket, and I’m keeping my eyes on the horizon. And I don’t want to miss a single step along the way.
I’m grateful to be here. Grateful to be alive. Grateful to still be myself.
I’m so tempted to mourn the time that I’ve lost and will never have memories of. I can’t quite tell yet if mourning that time would help me appreciate “Now” more, or if it would lead me down yet another path of endless rumination. But in any case… for now, I think I’m just going to try living without definitions, without a need to prove myself, without needing to be right. I think I’m just going to let all of it Be.
[Cassette noises]
Who knows where that’ll take me in a year?
[Click]
[Main Theme]
Fade in…
[Jerry scribbles rapidly in his notebook]
[A fire burns in the fireplace]
[Someone knocks at the door]
[He stands and talks to himself as he walks down the hall]
Jerry Price
Okay… drinks are in the fridge, food’s ready to cook, I cleaned the living room and the bathrooms…
[Jerry opens the front door]
[The song of birds outside floods in]
Jerry Price
Well hey there, strangers.
Maria Sol
Hey yourself, Price.
Jerry Price
Good to see you again, Anna.
Anna Sheridan
Good to see you too, Jerry.
Jerry Price
Mind if I give you both a hug? Or would you prefer I didn’t—
Maria Sol
Awwww, get in here big guy.
[They all hug and laugh warmly]
Anna Sheridan
Really, it’s great to see you again, Jerry. And thanks for hosting this time.
Jerry Price
Hey, I didn’t want to disrupt the love nest again… I know last Thanksgiving was a lot. And it’s much harder for Sam to weasel his way out of seeing everyone here, so…
Maria Sol
Jerry, you know he still can’t get on an airplane without drawing too much attention to himself—
Jerry Price
I know, I know… just giving him shit. Uh, y’all want to come in, or… you just gonna hang out on the porch all night?
Anna Sheridan
I don’t know, it’s really nice out here… and I’m sure there’s plenty of ghosts out in the woods after dark…
[Jerry laughs]
Jerry Price
Get your ass inside, I’ll have no ghost hunting on my property young lady.
Anna Sheridan
Fair enough.
[They step inside, Jerry shuts the door behind them]
Maria Sol
Oh wow, this place looks great Jerry.
Jerry Price
Ah, it’s nothing. Just had a lot of time on my hands.
Anna Sheridan
No seriously, Jerry… guess you weren’t kidding about how well Robin’s Return did.
Jerry Price
Well, yeah… but I’ve also been doing nothing but renovating since I bought this place. It needed a hell of a lot of work.
Maria Sol
I certainly hope Sam’s been pulling his weight.
Jerry Price
Hey, take it easy on the guy, he’s got enough work to do. Plus that ADU wasn’t exactly homey when he moved in either.
Anna Sheridan
Is he still out there?
Jerry Price
Yeah, he said he wanted to get some archiving done before y’all got here. I’ll go get him before the rest of you—
Maria Sol
—Nah, we can get him ourselves, Jerry.
Jerry Price
You sure? I don’t want to impose on you two—
Anna Sheridan
—We’re sure. Plus, Kate texted me a few hours ago to say they were landing in Denver… they’re probably right around the corner.
Jerry Price
Guess I’d better start pouring drinks then. [He walks to the kitchen] It’s just out the back door and across the yard, by the treeline… you can’t miss it.
Maria Sol
Thanks Jere!
[Clinking of bottles as Jerry rummages]
[Maria and Anna walk to the back door]
[They open the door, step onto grass outside, and close the door]
[The birds sing]
Anna Sheridan
Wow, Jerry really did get a primo spot, didn’t he?
Maria Sol
Looking a little green there, Miss Sheridan…
Anna Sheridan
Oh fuck off Sol, I’m just saying… it’s really pretty out here. Peaceful.
Maria Sol
Well, it is Breckenridge. [They begin walking through the tall grass] It’s what he deserves, honestly. Sam too.
Anna Sheridan
Just wish I could go back and do it like he did… use a pen-name and stay out of the limelight.
Maria Sol
As if you could have resisted the drama.
Anna Sheridan
Fair. But I swear, if I get one more question about my year in absentia, I’m going to lose it.
Maria Sol
Hey, that’s what the podcast’s for. You can just point everyone to that once it’s done.
Anna Sheridan
I almost wish we didn’t have to pretend it was fiction… I just know everyone’s going to be asking me for the “real” story.
[Russel whimpers and then runs to them]
Maria Sol
Russel! Come here boy, come here!!
[He’s panting loudly]
Maria Sol
Okay Russel — stay.
[Russel stops, Maria kneels]
Good — sit?
[Russel obeys]
Good boy!! Here you go, buddy.
[He immediately inhales the treat]
[Russel howls and pants]
Anna Sheridan
You know the entire Portland Polycule’s going to be bringing him treats as well… you’re all going to fatten him up so much he can’t even move.
Maria Sol
As if he doesn’t deserve that? Just look at him… he deserves all the treats in the world, doesn’t he?
[Anna laughs fondly and pulls Maria in for a sudden kiss]
Anna Sheridan
God, I love you.
Maria Sol
I love you too, Anna.
[Russel barks at them for another treat]
[Anna and Maria laugh]
Anna Sheridan
We should probably finish getting Sam.
[Russel scratches at himself, his collar jingling]
Maria Sol
Sure you don’t just want to run off into the woods for a little while? I’m sure we could find a nice, private spot to have some alone time—
Anna Sheridan
Oh Maria Sol, you are the worst!
Maria Sol
Hey! I’m not hearing a no…
Anna Sheridan
Much as I’d love that… I don’t think we should keep them waiting.
Maria Sol
Ugh… fine.
[They continue a bit farther through the grass, step up on a low, creaking porch, and slide open a glass door]
[An old recording of Sam plays quietly, in the back of the room]
Maria Sol
Sam? You in here?
Anna Sheridan
He’s over there… Sam—!
Maria Sol
Shhhh! Shhhh…
[Anna giggles softly, they attempt to creep up on Sam]
[Sam sighs]
Sam Bailey
I know you’re there, Maria.
[He pauses the recording with a keystroke, and turns in his chair to face them]
Maria Sol
God, you’re no fun to mess with anymore, are you?
Sam Bailey
Was I ever?
[They hold straight faces for a moment, then begin laughing]
[Sam rises for a hug]
Sam Bailey
God, it’s so good to see you again, Maria… you know, in person. It’s been too long.
Maria Sol
Tell me about it… when was the last time?
Sam Bailey
Must have been… Jerry’s house, right before you and Anna took off for her place?
Maria Sol
Has it really been that long?
[Anna steps forward]
Anna Sheridan
Hey, it’s not like we haven’t been seeing plenty of each other’s faces… where would “The Sheridan Tapes” be without our diligent archivist?
Sam Bailey
Oh please… documentarian, if anything. Is everyone here already?
Maria Sol
No, it’s just us so far… Kate and the rest of her crew shouldn’t be too far behind, though.
Sam Bailey
Shit, I guess it is late… we should head back in.
[They head to his door, close it behind them, and Russel barks]
[Russel pants]
Sam Bailey
Heyyy buddy, sorry I was in there so long… lost track of time.
Maria Sol
Sounds like you were getting into the old OCPD recordings?
[They begin walking back through the grass]
Sam Bailey
Oh yeah. Thankfully Ren had a backup of those files off the old ISPHA servers, I was worried they might have been lost.
Maria Sol
At least they’ll be better quality than the old tapes… shouldn’t have to EQ them quite so aggressively.
Sam Bailey
Hey, don’t blame me, blame the tech… there’s nothing I can do about that now.
Maria Sol
I mean, you could pull a few more stone tapes out of the void for some of the worst ones… I can always add tape hiss in post.
Sam Bailey
It’s called “The Sheridan Tapes,” Maria. Tapes.
Maria Sol
That doesn’t mean it all has to be found footage, Sam.
Anna Sheridan
God, you two are worse than Kate and I ever were.
[They simultaneously scoff at her]
Maria Sol
Oh absolutely not.
Sam Bailey
Are you serious?
Anna Sheridan
What?
[They stop walking for a moment]
Sam Bailey
Anna, we’ve both been listening to your old recordings — we know that isn’t true.
[Anna laughs in response, they stop in front of Jerry’s back door]
Sam Bailey
Alright… here we are.
[Sam pulls the door open, and they step into the wood-floored house]
[Conversation in the background]
Kate Sheridan
I’m serious Jerry, this place is beautiful! You did such a nice job with it!
Jerry Price (continuing in background)
No really, it’s nothing… just some paint and wood and a bit of time…
Bill Tyler (continuing in background)
Shit, if that’s all it is, I might have to fly you out to Portland to do up the farmhouse… it could use a little TLC.
[Peter notices them]
Peter Slate
Oh hey Anna, Maria! Long time no see!
Anna Sheridan
What? It’s only been a month since Andrew’s birthday!
Robert Quincy
Hey, a lot can happen in a month. You should see the kids, they’re all grown up now.
Sam Bailey
Wait… kids? Did somebody get pregnant during the last—
Maria Sol
Goats, Sam. They just got a bunch of baby goats the last time we were there.
Sam Bailey
Oh… [He laughs at himself] right.
Peter Slate
Oh, hey Sam. Didn’t see you back there.
Sam Bailey
Yeahhh… hey Peter.
Robert Quincy
Hey, don’t feel bad you didn’t notice him… I think he was trying to blend in.
[To Sam] It’s just Kate and Bill and Jerry in there right now, Sam — shouldn’t be too overwhelming, but if you need some space first you can join us in the kitchen.
Sam Bailey
No… thanks, but I think I’ll be alright. I appreciate it though, Rob.
Robert Quincy
Suit yourself. Slate?
Peter Slate
Lead the way.
[Rob and Peter go into the kitchen]
[Anna, Maria, and Sam move to the living room]
Kate Sheridan
Oh my godddd, Annnaa!!!
[Kate embraces them both in a tight hug, and they grunt from the pressure]
Anna Sheridan
Good to see you too, sis.
Maria Sol
Yeah… same.
[Kate covers them in big sister kisses, then releases them]
Kate Sheridan
I want to hear everything — everything, don’t spare a single detail.
[Maria laughs]
Maria Sol
Alright alright, we’ll tell you… Can we at least grab a beer first though?
Kate Sheridan
Only if I can get some wine?
[Distant noise of a pot lid going onto a pot]
Jerry Price
Sure, it’s all in the kitchen… let me get it for you.
[Jerry walks off]
[The girls slowly follow him]
Kate Sheridan
Thanks Jerry! [To Anna and Maria] And you two will not believe what’s been happening since Andrew’s birthday… I met someone.
Maria Sol (fading in background)
Kate?! Really?!
[The sound of the fireplace crackling]
[Kitchen noise continues in background]
Sam Bailey
Actually, I… I think I should get something to drink too, I forgot to grab—
[Bill pulls a stopper out of a carbonated drink]
Bill Tyler
Got you covered, buddy. Jerry said these were the ones you liked?
Sam Bailey
Oh… uh, thanks Bill.
Bill Tyler
You doing okay?
Sam Bailey
Yeah, just… lots going on. This is more people than I’ve been around in a while.
Bill Tyler
Yeah, that’s fair. You want to take a minute, step outside?
Sam Bailey
No… No, I think I’ll be alright. You’re all basically family anyways… I shouldn’t be this nervous.
Bill Tyler
Hey, anxiety’s a bitch. Just let me know what you need.
Sam Bailey
Appreciate it Bill, thanks. [He takes a deep breath] Although we should probably stick around, your husbands might need help in the kitchen.
Bill Tyler
Ah, they’ve got it more than handled… we’ve all decided that the kitchen is their domain. Plus, cooking is when they get to spend the most time together, Rob’s usually pretty busy these days.
Sam Bailey
Oh. Wow — well, it sounds like you’ve all got it pretty well figured out over there.
[Bill laughs]
Bill Tyler
Barely. We’ve still got so much to learn about making all this work… it’s a lot of people sharing a life, you know? But it’s been good. Healing, you know? [Pause] Oh, did you hear that Kate’s actually started seeing someone new?
Sam Bailey
She has?
Bill Tyler
Yeah, met her at one of Peter’s open mic nights, actually… she’s a musician, really sweet. I think you two would get along.
Sam Bailey
Huh. You should invite her the next time we all get together, I’d love to meet her.
Bill Tyler
Hey, we pretty much break max occupancy whenever we show up already… plus she’s staying at the farm and taking care of Andrew while we’re away.
[Approaching footsteps]
[Someone bangs on the door anxiously]
Kate Sheridan
Oh that must be Ren!
Sam Bailey
Certainly sounds like it.
[Someone opens the front door]
Ren Park
I’m so sorry I’m late, I had to take an emergency call with the Foundation board before I lost cell signal and Doctor Lambert [Door closes behind him] wouldn’t stop going on about the cost of the ISC Program and I had to remind him that this is all—
Maria Sol
Ren! Ren, just take a deep breath… you’re okay. We only got here a few minutes ago. And we’re just glad you could make it at all.
Ren Park
[Ren exhales] Sorry everyone… my head’s just still spinning from work.
Kate Sheridan
Not surprising. How’s the reorg going?
Ren Park
Difficultly. We’re still dealing with the cleanup in Oslow and a couple of lawsuits over what happened at Meriwether, and there’s a lot of resistance from the old guard… but so far, most of the board is still onboard with the new ISFA.
Maria Sol
You kept the name?
Ren Park
No, I-S-F-A… new acronym.
Maria Sol
It still sounds the same.
Ren Park
Well that was… kind of the point?
Kate Sheridan
It’s great, Ren… I’m sure Caldwell would be very… proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Ren Park
I’m… I’m not really sure about that. It’s… difficult to say what Caldwell would have thought about this… what she wanted her legacy to be. [Slight pause] But Adam’s proud of what I’m doing, at least. That’s all that really matters to me right now.
Anna Sheridan
You two are seeing each other again?
Ren Park
I mean, technically we never stopped — I just got too busy. But we’ve actually decided to make it official… you know, move in together.
Bill Tyler
Oh hell yeah! Congrats, man!
Ren Park
Thanks. We’re still trying to find a place in Ventura, though… my apartment’s a bit small for two.
Sam Bailey
Ooof… that sounds stressful.
Ren Park
Yeah, but… good stress? If that makes sense?
[Approaching footsteps]
[Jerry pokes his head around the corner]
Jerry Price
Yo, everyone! The cooks are about to fire up the BBQ if anyone wants to join us outside… I’m getting a fire going, it looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful evening.
Kate Sheridan
We’ll be right there, Jerry! [To the room] Everyone?
[Noises of assent, they file towards the back door, the floor creaking]
[Anna shuffles some cards]
Sam Bailey
Anna?
Anna Sheridan
Hmm? Oh, sorry… just a second.
Bill Tyler
What have you got there?
Anna Sheridan
It’s a… a Tarot deck? Kate picked it up for me at a little curio shop in town.
Sam Bailey
I thought you weren’t a big believer in… you know, luck, fate, that sort of thing?
Anna Sheridan
I wasn’t… [She continues shuffling] But my time in the Source… well, it’s worn some of the edges off my cynicism, so to speak. Opened my eyes to… other ways of looking at the universe.
Bill Tyler
Yeah… guess it’ll do that to you.
Sam Bailey
What are you pulling a card for?
Anna Sheridan
I’m not really sure… any requests?
Sam Bailey
Uh… What about… this upcoming season? Now that we’ve… mostly sorted everything out from last year.
Anna Sheridan
Hmmmm… okay…
[One last shuffle, and then she pulls a card out]
Sam Bailey
…the Fool?
Bill Tyler
Well, it is April Fool’s day, so that makes sense.
Anna Sheridan
No, no… it’s got more meaning than that. This card is like… the fool in myth, or more like the trickster. It represents… change. New, generative energy to change your life, like a shapeshifter constantly changing his face. It’s… renewal.
[Bill gets very still]
[Approaching footsteps]
Sam Bailey
Bill? Are you okay—?
Jerry Price
Come on you three… food’s almost ready!
[Jerry retreats]
[Anna stands, then speaks to Bill compassionately]
Anna Sheridan
Come on… we shouldn’t keep them all waiting.
[Noises of Jerry’s house fade]
Fade to…
[Laughter from all eight of them fades in at the end of Peter’s funny story]
[A campfire crackles]
[Insects chirp, occasional noise of an owl]
Peter Slate
Anyway… that is the last time I go antiquing in Skowhegan.
Robert Quincy
Thanks for the warning.
[The laughter fades]
[Sam picks up his guitar and begins tuning it]
Bill Tyler
Never figured you for the “guitar at a party” guy, Sam.
Sam Bailey
I never figured me for the “guy at a party” guy either.
[Bill laughs]
Kate Sheridan
[Yawning] God, what time is it?
Jerry Price
Little after 10:30.
Kate Sheridan
[She sighs] We should probably get back to the hotel soon… make sure we get enough sleep. We’ve got an early flight tomorrow.
Bill Tyler
I wish Ned could be here.
[The guitar stops suddenly]
[Everyone stays quiet]
Bill Tyler
I just… I just think he’d like this. All of us together around the fire, having a good time, it’s…
[Kate leans forward and puts a hand on Bill’s shoulder]
Kate Sheridan
I miss him too, Bill. A lot more than I thought I would. I’m just glad you got the chance to tell him how you really felt before the end. Both of you. I just wish I could have too.
Bill Tyler
What, like…
Kate Sheridan
I mean… obviously, I didn’t feel the same way about him that you did, but… we spent a lot of time together, those last few months. I got to see him… grow. Change. He meant a lot to me too.
Peter Slate
I wish I’d had the chance to meet him too. From the way you all talk about Ned… it sounds like he was a pretty special person.
Bill Tyler
Yeah, he was. Complicated as hell, for sure, but… in the end…
Robert Quincy
Oh, Billy…
[Rob leans over and embraces Bill, who shudders]
Robert Quincy
You know, you should come out to the farm when you can, Sam. We put up a little memorial for Ned when we moved in… I think you should see it.
Sam Bailey
I… I’d be honored, Rob.
[Slight pause]
Robert Quincy
Did I say something wrong?
Sam Bailey
No, it’s just… you know how long he lived. I’m sure there are hundreds of memorials to him, all over the world… thousands, maybe.
[Bill sits up again]
Bill Tyler
Not to Ned, there aren’t. Not to the person we loved.
[Sam picks up his guitar again, and gently plays]
Anna Sheridan
It wasn’t in vain though. How he… what he did. He killed Morrison. He saved all of us… Saved the world. Not many people you can say that about.
Ren Park
I wonder if he really did though?
Anna Sheridan
Ren…
Ren Park
Sorry, no, that — that came out wrong. Obviously, he stopped Morrison. Obviously, he saved us from that.
Bill Tyler
So what’s the hold up?
[Ren hesitates a moment]
Ren Park
Have your nightmares gone away, Anna? The ones about the future.
Anna Sheridan
I… I think so? I mean, I still have plenty of nightmares about what happened, but… I don’t think I’m seeing the future anymore.
Ren Park
You’re sure?
Maria Sol
Oh, definitely. After all, she has someone to check up on her when she wakes up in the middle of the night, now.
Anna Sheridan
I haven’t had those dreams since I came back from the Source. Best guess… they were a byproduct of the causal loop. My timeline was slightly out of sync with reality, so I got… little peeks ahead. That’s all gone now. And good riddance.
Ren Park
Maybe. Maybe not.
Kate Sheridan
Something on your mind, Ren?
Ren Park
It’s just… even if Anna’s not dreaming about the future anymore, I don’t know if that means the future has really changed. If you were getting glimpses of the future through the Source, then there’s no telling how far into the future those visions were. Maybe we’ve already passed the point they were supposed to come true. Maybe not. Just because Morrison didn’t win, doesn’t mean that apocalypse isn’t going to happen at some point.
[A moment of quiet, then Anna laughs]
Anna Sheridan
Maybe you’re right. But honestly… I think I’m done trying to save the world for now. I’ll do what I can, but… We’re all just human. Stopping one apocalypse is more than enough for us, I think. And right now, I’m just going to live the life I almost lost. No good worrying about what might happen in the future… or what could have been, either.
[Sam falters in his playing, stopping suddenly]
Anna Sheridan
You okay, Sam?
Sam Bailey
It… it’s nothing, I’m a little tired is all—
Jerry Price
Sam.
[Sam hesitates, then speaks]
Sam Bailey
I… I didn’t tell all of you what happened to me in the Source. Not all of it, at least. There was one thing that was… [Long pause, deep breath] I saw Allen.
Jerry Price
You saw… like a vision, or…?
Sam Bailey
No, Jerry. No. On my way back to finding Anna, the well dropped me back into Agate Shore. 2018. My old house. Right before he died.
I… thought that, if I stayed there, then maybe I could fix all of this. Run away with him. Change history and… prevent all this from happening. Go back to the way things were.
Kate Sheridan
Oh my god, Sam… I’m so sorry.
Anna Sheridan
You… gave that up, for me?
Bill Tyler
Oh god, Sam…
Sam Bailey
No, no, it’s not… it’s okay. I lost Allen a long time ago. I miss him… I’ll always miss him… but I’ve grieved him. I’ve made peace with what happened. I know it wasn’t my fault, and I know… I know I can’t get him back like that. If I’d stayed there with him, Anna would still be trapped in the Source. And I never would have met any of you.
This… this is my life now. All of you around this fire. My friends… my family. It’s a different kind of love than the one I had with Allen, but it’s… it’s more than enough. And maybe someday, when it’s all over… I’ll go back to the Source. Find Allen again. Maybe in another timeline, maybe in that place I saw in the mountains, if it’s actually real. Or maybe I won’t. But this… this is the life I’ve chosen. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
[Moment of peaceful quiet]
[The fire crackles]
[Insects chirp]
Bill Tyler
You’re probably right Kate… we should head back, it’s getting late.
Kate Sheridan
Hmmm. Yeah.
[No one moves]
[Sam gently begins the first notes of “The Parting Glass”]
Sam Bailey (singing)
Of all the money that e’er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm that e’er I’ve done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
Kate Sheridan/Sam Bailey (singing)
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To mem’ry now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.
Anna Sheridan (singing)
If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Anna Sheridan/Maria Sol (singing)
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
[Kate joins in]
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.
Jerry Price/Ren Park (singing)
Oh, all the comrades that e’er I had,
They’re sorry for my going away,
Bill Tyler (singing)
And all the sweethearts that e’er I had,
They’d wish me one more day to stay,
Peter Slate (singing)
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
Jerry/Ren/Bill/Peter/Robert (singing)
I gently rise and I’ll softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.
Sam Bailey (singing)
A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty boy
And perhaps be welcomed back again
[The friends and lovers sing together for a final time]
ALL (singing)
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to sleep
Come fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all…
[Their voices fade as another voice seems to fade in]
[All fall away except for the final voice]
Ned Leroux (singing)
Good night and joy be with you all.
Homestead on the Corner 